Stalin’s Giant Stride for Progressive Tamil Nadu

SECURING WOMEN ECONOMICALLY

Reiterating the DMK Government’s commitment to enhance the quality of life for women through various schemes meant to empower and secure them, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, fulfilled one of his key electoral promises by rolling out the “Magalir Urimai Thogai Scheme” for providing financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to women heads of eligible households from September 15, 2022. The fund allocation of Rs 7,000 crore for the scheme is touted as the biggest cash transfer programmes implemented by any State Government in India’s history, according to Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan. Financial support of Rs.47,034 crore Bank Loan was provided to 8,57,949 Self-Help Groups, which is a big step towards empowering women.

EDUCATING THE GIRL CHILD

To ensure equitable and holistic development of students from the primary level to higher education, the DMK government has launched several schemes covering from incentives to nutrition. That imparting quality education to ‘girl child’ is a major thrust area of the state government that saw the launch of “Pudhumai Penn Scheme” in 2022 with an allocation of Rs. 350 crore as incentive benefitting 2.09 lakh girl students for higher education at a cost of Rs 100.11 crore. The Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme was rolled-out to enhance the enrolment ratio of girls from Government schools to Higher Education Institutions. Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month is being provided to the girls till their completion of UG degree, Diploma, ITI or any other recognized course. The incentive amount will be credited directly into the student’s bank account. The scheme won the e-Governance Gold Award 2022.

Nutrition is equally important for growing children for which the “Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme” was launched in Madurai on 15th September, 2022, by CM Stalin, at a cost of Rs 500 crore. While tabling the Tamil Nadu state budget 2023-2024 in the Assembly, Finance Minister Thiagarajan had said that presently the scheme has benefitted 1.48 lakh students in 1,937 schools. Considering that the scheme has resulted in increased attendance in schools, he informed that it will now be extended to all the government primary schools across the state covering 18 lakh students.

EMPOWERING YOUTH WITH SKILLS

Tamil Nadu has been a stronghold of quality education with innumerable institutions imparting education across diverse subjects from conventional to technical. Keeping themselves up-graded with the times, these institutions have maintained the reputation and relevance of their curriculums benefitting students immensely by making them industry ready. Going a step further to support education in the state, CM Stalin launched the “Naan Mudhalvan Scheme” on 1st March 2022. The scheme is benefitting 8,11,879 Arts and Science college students and 4,60,734 Engineering college students from this inclusive scheme meant for students coming, particularly, from the economically poor strata of society. Also,1,44,490 jobs were created in private companies through 1237 Job Fairs.

ROOF FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED

Highlighting its commitment towards social justice, one of the measures was building economical tenements for the poor. Chief Minister Stalin inaugurated 2,828 tenements constructed across the state by the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board at a cost of Rs 284.32 crores. These tenements include dilapidated tenements in the NVN Project area in Chennai that were reconstructed at a cost of Rs 104.10 crore, two apartment complexes in Theni built at a cost of Rs 41.5 crore and Rs 16.35 crore respectively.

Each of these tenements measures 400 sqft in area with a multi-purpose room, bedroom, kitchen and toilet and supported by infrastructure, access to facilities such as roads, drinking water, sewage drains and rainwater harvesting structures. So far, the state government has built 12,495 tenements at a cost of Rs 1,225.26 crore, according to a press release.

IMPETUS TO CULTIVATORS

Agriculture is one of the biggest sectors in terms of revenue and employment in the state. As a goodwill gesture towards the farming community, the DMK government provided 31.53 lakh farmers, loans totalling Rs. 23,127 crore. In FY 2022-2023, the DMK government provided cooperative crop loans to the tune of Rs 14,000 crore to 16. 43 lakh farmers in the State during 2023-24, which was reportedly stated by Agriculture Minister M R K Panneerselvam while presenting the budget for agriculture department in the Assembly. He informed that interest-free cooperative loan of Rs 1,500 crore will be disbursed to farmers for livelihood stocks such as goat rearing, dairying, poultry and fisheries activities. Also, an allocation of about Rs 500 crore has been provided as incentive to paddy growers at the rate of Rs 100 and Rs 75 per quintal, respectively, for fine and bold varieties, for the procurement period next year. To boost the agri sector in the state, 1.50 lakh farmers were given free agricultural power connections and will be extended to more farmers. Also, 5.36 lakh acres have been brought under Kuruvai Cultivation and the farmers being incentivised to encourage them to grow crops.

LINKING BEAUTIFUL CITIES, PROSPEROUS REGIONS

A strong infrastructure supporting connectivity not only makes commuting easy, but also accelerates the overall socio-economic development of that region. Also, increasing population and footfall needs efficient connectivity. CM Stalin reportedly pointed out that the passenger count had increased by 1.70 crore from 70 lakh when the COVID-19 pandemic was raging and to meet hike of commuters, his government will procure 2,000 new buses and renovate 1,500 old buses at a cost of Rs. 1,000 crore. Moreover, the government would purchase 2,213 diesel buses and 500 electric buses through German KfW Development Bank. “The new buses will secure Tamil Nadu a pre-eminent place in bus services in the country,” said the Chief Minister, adding that 44 lakh women benefited from free bus service, for which 7,105 buses were being plied. “It has benefited working women, women involved in small trades. The free bus services have helped the women save Rs 2,000 crore. But the government does not see it as a loss. It is a scheme to improve the lot of women,” said the Chief Minister whose focus is to provide as many safe and secure conveniences to women and the general public.

SHOWCASING PRIDE OF TAMIL CULTURE

Archaeological findings have shown that Tamil Nadu is among the oldest cultures of the world with a society that was advanced, rich and prosperous. Showcasing the history of Tamils, its heritage, the DMK Government established a state-of-art Keeladi Museum spread over 31,000 sq.ft., at an estimated cost of Rs 18.43 crores. The museum will showcase the archaeological findings at the Keeladi site in the district where the state Archaeological department has been carrying out excavations since 2018, recovering a lot of artefacts earthenware and brick structures which indicate at a thriving urban civilisation on the banks of river Vaigai dating back to the 6th Century B.C. The exhibits kept in the facility and scientific findings have proven that the Tamil society was a literate and educated one. For more immersive experience, animation, virtual reality exhibition are among the other features incorporated in the museum.

BOOST TO INDUSTRY, JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Tamil Nadu continues to be a favoured destination of investors attracting, both domestic and foreign,a trend attributed to the state’s advanced infrastructure, evolved and conducive industrial ecosystem, world-class connectivity and logistics capabilities. Innovation, quality, timely delivery and skilled manpower serve as other credentials, which add up to establish Tamil Nadu with a strong industry base and is home to some of the biggest manufacturers, both public and private organizations, across diverse sectors such as automobile and tech companies. In the last four years, the state has attracted investments worth Rs 4 Trillion giving thrust to industrial growth. With the signing of 222 MoU’s, investments worth Rs 2,72,322crore have already been achieved and 4,09,651 jobs have been created. Rural areas of the state have witnessed a surge in several micro and ancillaries. According to reports there are over 50 lakh MSMEs in the state.

After revamping industrial policies for giving momentum to businesses across all sectors, the Chief Minister released the Tamil Nadu Ethanol Blending Policy 2023, Tamil Nadu M-sand Policy, Tamil Nadu Logistics Policy & Integrated Logistics Plan 2023, Tamil Nadu City Gas Distribution Policy 2023 and an incentive scheme for Textile / Garments investments and also launched the Single Window Portal 2.0 and the Mobile App for the Single Window Portal 2.0.

FOCUS ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The DMK government in accordance to its poll promise to develop and strengthen rural amenities has launched, “Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam” at a cost of Rs 2,610 crore. Under the Chief Minister’s Rural Road Development Scheme allocations to the tune of Rs. 4,000 crore will increase accessibility to villages. Also, 6,229 road works at a length of 10,949.59 km and 83 bridges at a cost of Rs. 4,308 crore have been undertaken. To resolve the issue of lack of potable water, pipe water connections have been installed in 79,00,647 of the 1,25,51,754 rural homes across the state. Under a unique social equality scheme fostering social harmony and reduce inter caste discrimination, renovation of Periyar Memorial Samathuvapurams have been undertaken at a cost of Rs 257 crore. The scheme is named after the social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy.

REDEFINING DAIRY BUSINESS

Dairy development is another livelihood area that is being given a boost by the state government. It has slashed Aavin Milk price by Rs 3 per litre and hiked the milk procurement price to Rs 3 per litre, which is a seen as a major step in this direction.

SOUND HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

Tamil Nadu is acknowledged as a healthcare hub of the country with some of the finest state-of-art hospitals and facilities, besides world-renowned doctors and skilled healthcare personnel. Among its mass based health initiatives include allocation of Rs 3,185 crore under Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme benefitted 58.27 lakh people and 1.51 lakh people were treated under Innuyir Kaappom Nammai Kaakkum 48, a nobel initiative to provide free medical treatment to accident victims.

FISHERMEN WELFARE

The marine sector is a thriving industry in the coastal state of Tamil Nadu, which employees a lot of people involved from fishing to export of sea food. Nevertheless, they are also victims of unpredictable and harsh weather conditions impacting their livelihoods plunging them into dire economic condition. The fishermen community is at the mercy of the weather Gods. To support such families the state government disbursed special relief assistance during the fishing lean period to 3,11,205 fishermen families at a cost of Rs.186.72 crore.

POWER PLUS

Energy plays a key role in the economic progress of a state and a nation. Tamil Nadu is a pioneer state in providing 24×7 power supply to all sectors, besides achieving 100% electrification at the village level as well. At present, the total installed power capacity of the state is at 34,706 MW while the average demand of power in the state is around 14,500 MW -15,500 MW. Tamil Nadu also operates the most diversified electricity generation portfolio in the country, with an installed capacity of 31,894 MW, which includes 50% of renewable energy, 28% from coal based power plants and shares from central generating stations, 5% from nuclear power plants, 3% from gas power plants and 14% through Long term and Medium term Open Access and Captive Power Plants (CPP).Tamil Nadu is also a pioneer in renewable energy, having an installed capacity of 15,779 MW, which constitutes around 50% of the state’s total installed capacity. The state is committedly building a sustainable renewable energy industry to reduce carbon foot print and meet increasing demand for power, which is an alternative to the fast depleting fossil fuel that impacts the environment and all living things.

SECURING THE VULNERABLE

Tamil Nadu leads as a pioneer in the implementation of national level social security schemes, in letter and spirit. The Social Security Pension Schemes are extended to all the vulnerable sections of the society such as senior citizens, differently abled persons, widows, agricultural labourers, poor farmers, deserted wives, trans-genders, unmarried women of the age of 50 years and above who are destitute and poor. The Mudhalvarin Mugavari Department received 37,97,850 petitions so far out of which 36,72,029 petitions have been resolved. The new beneficiaries of the social security pension today has a count of 5,80,933 people. The Revenue department of Tamil Nadu ensures efficient delivery of various government schemes and services to benefit the masses.

The “Tamil Nadu State Child Protection Policy 2021”was issued for the overall well-being of children and Rs 89.18 crores was disbursed to 35,674 beneficiaries in the year 2022-23 whereas Rs 28.80 lakhs was sanctioned to integrated complex for senior citizens and destitute children in 2022-2023.

EXCELLENCE IN SPORTS

The youth of the state have won laurels at several national and international competitions, to be acknowledged as a sporting force to reckon with. The state government has unleashed a slew of initiatives for energizing the sports for global level events by taking into account every aspect need to fortify the varied disciplines and their players. New world-class sports complexes are being created, the old ones revamped and upgraded, prize moneys and cash incentives have been hiked, traditional sports are being encouraged, sports events are being hosted, sponsored and sports persons trained and sent to global sporting competitions. Even funds are being spent to provide the nutritious diet and training to the players. The pensions to sports persons too have been raised. Tamil Nadu even hosted the 44th Chess Olympiad at Rs 114 crore and instituted the Chief Minister’s Trophy competitions at Rs 51 crore.

SHELTER FROM NATURAL CALAMITIES

The southern state on the east coast of the country is recurrently facing the brunt of natural calamities unleashed by heavy monsoons, cyclones and drought. Coming to the rescue of lakhs of people stranded in such affected areas is the Disaster Management Department. On alert 24×7, the personnel trained to work in such inclement weather provide relief and implement rehabilitation measures for those affected by the onslaught of calamities.

INSTALLING MEMORIALS AND ARANGAMS

Endorsing the former Prime Minister of India, Thiru. V.P. Singh, as a champion of social justice, the DMK government has installed a statue of him in Chennai. V.P. Singh was known for implementing the recommendations for reservations by the famous Mandal Commission.

(DIPR/469/DISPLAY/2023)

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